Cause of the Failure
BankFirst failed because its Board of Directors and management did not establish a corporate governance and oversight framework to control the risks associated with its aggressive loan growth and high concentration in CRE loans. The lack of effective credit risk management controls resulted in a large volume of poorly underwritten CRE loans that were originated within an eighteen-month period. BankFirst had pervasive internal control deficiencies, and the inability of bank management to identify and address loan portfolio weaknesses led to asset quality deterioration and significant losses. Mounting losses eliminated earnings and depleted capital, which ultimately caused the State to close BankFirst and appoint the FDIC as receiver on July 17, 2009.